Effect of pilates in forward head posture

Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation in people of all ages. It can be due to postural habits, muscle imbalance, pain and respiratory conditions. Due to persistence of this abnormal posture, many disorders can develop like cervicogenic headache, disturbance of cervical position sense, migraine, myofascial pain syndromes and abnormal scapular movement etc.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of Pilates exercises and conventional treatment for 6 weeks on pain, disability, craniovertebral angle, balance and position sense in forward head posture individuals.

A total of 40 subjects having forward head posture between the age group of 40 to 60 years, were enrolled in study. Participants were equally assigned into two groups i.e., Group A (Pilates) and Group B (Conventional treatment). The participants in Pilates group performed exercises for 6 weeks with frequency of 3 sessions per week with 2 sets of 10 repetitions. In Group B stabilization exercises were performed. The outcome measures for the study were pain, neck disability index, craniovertebral angle, cervical position sense and balance. Post intervention assessment was done after 6 weeks.

There was statistically significant difference seen within Pilates group as well as conventional group for pain, neck disability index, craniovertebral angle, cervical position sense and balance. Between group comparisons revealed statistically significant difference for pain (p=0.000) and balance (p=0.043) but there was no statistical difference seen for neck disability index, craniovertebral angle and cervical position sense.

It can be concluded from the study that there is more improvement seen in Pilates group as compared to conventional group for pain and balance. But there was no significant difference seen between groups for neck disability index, craniovertebral angle and cervical position.